Methods and apparatus for user selectable digital mirror

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment of the invention, a digital mirror is disclosed including an enclosure; a display device mounted in the enclosure to display images at a front side of the enclosure; an image capture device mounted in the enclosure adjacent the display device to reduce parallax error; lights mounted in the enclosure adjacent the display device; and a light diffuser mounted to the enclosure around the display device over the one or more lights. The one or more lights provide lighting in front of the display device and the image capture device captures images in the field of view in the front. The light diffuser diffuses and softens the light emitted by the one or more lights. Alternatively, the image capture device may be mounted on an articulated arm that may be used to capture and display various angles in the filed of view of the digital mirror.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional United States (U.S.) patent application claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/338,105 filed onFeb. 16, 2010 by John W. Rowles, et al., entitled DIGITAL MIRROR, whichis incorporated herein by reference. This non-provisional United States(U.S.) patent application also claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/338,106 filed on Feb. 16, 2010 by John W.Rowles, et al., entitled TECHNIQUES FOR IMAGE CAPTURE THROUGH LIQUIDCRYSTAL DISPLAYS; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/399,300filed on Jul. 10, 2010 by John Rowles, et al., entitled DIGITAL MIRRORSMARTPHONE APPLICATION, which are both incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention generally relate to digital cameras,digital picture frames, and mirrors.

BACKGROUND

Optical mirrors are common household items that are used to adjust orverify the users appearance and features. With optical mirrors, areflective material is typically encapsulated with glass that provides areflection or a reverse image of the actual user. While optical mirrorsare extremely useful in providing information that cannot be vieweddirectly, aberrations may occur in the medium used to reflect theinformation. Moreover, optical mirrors provide a transposed image to theuser. Objects shown in an optical mirror are horizontally flipped (e.g.,from left to right and vice versa).

Users may also be hampered with the fixed state of the optical mirrorand unable to easily view objects at different angles. For example,several mirrors may be required to view the back of ones' head. Otherexamples of difficulty with an optical mirror are more attributed to thethree dimensional aspect of an object being viewed on a two dimensionalsurface of the mirror. In many cases, multiple mirrors are used to viewthe topology of the object.

Proper lighting of an object that is to be viewed in an optical mirrormay be challenging. The ability to light an object such that itsmirrored image provides a view of a desired feature may be hampered byshadows or require multiple light sources in order to provide a clearview of the object feature.

Optical mirrors are used for many purposes such as medical devices,personal/vanity use, and automotive applications. While optical mirrorsare simple to construct, if improperly constructed, the image theyreflect may be misleading. Some optical properties of an optical mirrorcan be manipulated for additional useful effects. However, the opticalproperties are typically fixed in an optical mirror in the sense thatthey cannot be modified or changed once created. Any defect, whetherintentional or not, once cast in glass cannot be easily changed.

Other optical aberrations may include distortions from the quality ofthe glass and the reflective material deployed. The material propertiesof these components become critical for determining depth of focus andminimizing distortion from elements such as elongation. An example ofthese can be seen at a carnival show where mirrors are deployed todistort the users appearance in an effort to provoke laughter in theunusual shapes reflected or mirrored back to the user.

Optical aberrations can be found in optical side view mirrors utilizedon automobiles to provide additional views of surrounding traffic.Typically, the automobile manufacturers provide a warning label such as“Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear” in order to educatethe user on the hazards of convex properties that have beenintentionally instilled into a side view mirror to provide a wide angleview. Convex and concave properties are perspective distortions inoptical mirrors.

It is desirable to improve upon optical mirrors to benefit the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention are best summarized by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and notlimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a wall mountable digitalmirror in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a stand-able digital mirror inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded view of a digital mirror.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a portable digital mirror inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front closed view of the portable digital mirrorin FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates an open side view of the portable digital mirrorshown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D illustrates a visor digital mirror in an open position attachedto a sun visor of an automobile.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a stand-able digital mirrorwith a movable camera.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a stand-able digital mirrorwith a fixed center camera and left and right side moveable cameras.

FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a stand-able digital mirrorsystem including a detachable camera.

FIG. 3D illustrates a magnified view of a portion of the detachablecamera illustrated in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3E illustrates a digital mirror having a camera mounted over thedisplay device to minimize parallax.

FIG. 3F illustrates a cross-section of a portion of the digital mirrorillustrated in FIG. 3E.

FIG. 3G illustrates a magnified side view of a portion of an organiclight emitting diode (OLED display device with a camera mounted behindit.

FIG. 3H illustrates a magnified front view of a portion of an organiclight emitting diode (OLED display device as shown in FIG. 3B with acamera mounted behind it.

FIGS. 4A-4B respectively illustrate the user-selectability between thetrue view mode and the mirror view mode with the user interface of eachdigital mirror.

FIG. 5A illustrates a representation of an array of pixel data stored ina frame buffer memory and displayed on a display device of a digitalmirror as true images in a true view mode.

FIG. 5B illustrates how the pixel data stored in a frame buffer, such asshown by FIG. 5A, is read out and displayed on a display device of adigital mirror to provide a mirror image in a mirror view mode.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary functional block diagram of electroniccircuit modules in an image processing and control system provided in afirst digital mirror system.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary functional block diagram of electroniccircuit modules provided in an image processing and control systemprovided in a second digital mirror system that has a detachable camera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of theinvention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the aspects of the invention. However, it willbe obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of theinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the invention.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic isdescribed in connection with at least one embodiment of the invention.The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places inthe specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.Moreover, aspects, features, structures, or characteristics describedwith regard to one embodiment of the invention may be shared or includedand claimed as part of another embodiment of the invention.

Introduction

Typical optical mirrors composed of a reflective material andpotentially, encapsulated in glass, have characteristics that may notsatisfy a user's requirements. A digital mirror has the ability toimprove the user's experience in providing extended views of the user'sfeatures. The digital mirror also has the ability to enhance displayedimages through the using imaging electronic components and software.Additionally, the combination of a plurality of lighting sources withselectable intensity, a plurality of camera choices and mountingapplications may also enhance the user's experience.

There are a number of different applications for a digital mirror. Forexample a wall mount digital mirror may be formed of different sizesdepending on the user's discretion and interior design preferences. Alarge digital mirror may be desired for a user to view multiple views. Asmaller digital mirror may be desired for smaller spaces and may offer asingle view at a time for a quick view or reassurance.

The enclosure may also be integral in how the digital mirror may beconfigured to be compatible with the user's environment. The ability fora digital mirror to either be a focal point for the user's environmentor an accessory to the user's environment may determine the style of theenclosure and thus the display size, lighting, number and size of cameraas well as the resolution and focus of the camera sensor.

A self-supported digital mirror (DM) may be used as a vanity mirror. Itmay include means for capturing side views for left, right and centerviewing. The angle of the display of the digital mirror may be adjustedby a stand. A user interface further enables the user to selectlighting, images to be viewed, and mirrored images (transposed from leftto right) or true images (non transposed).

In other embodiments of the invention, multiple cameras may extend tothe left and right of the user to capture left, right, and side imagesfor displaying on a single center display. The additional cameras can bemoved to capture or whatever angles the user desires to view. The usersimply may select the desired view through a menu of a graphics userinterface or buttons of an electromechanical user interface. Multipleimages of different views may be concurrently displayed in a mosaicarrangement on a display. This is different with an optical mirror. Theenclosure houses together one or more of the lighting capabilities andarrangements, the camera views, and the display device software executedby a process may further enhance the display of images on a digitalmirror.

The ability to alter digital images is a common technique used indigital photography. Software may interactive with the elementalcomponents such that lighting can be automatically dimmed or madebrighter depending on the user's preference settings, such as an autobrightness feature. The enclosure may house one or more lighting sourcessuch as incandescent lights, florescent lights, compact florescentlights, or LED (light emitting diode) devices, may be used singularly orin any combination in order to facilitate the user's desired lighting.Light sources have well defined characteristics such as incandescentlights sources may be seen as having a yellow tint where as florescentlights may be seen to have a bluish tint. Lighting to displayappropriate shades of images provided by the digital mirror may also beresponsive to the user's movement and ambient lighting conditions giventhe time of day.

In another embodiment of the invention a portable, battery poweredcompact digital mirror would be very beneficial for travel or where ACpowered accessories are not easily supported. In this case the camera,the lighting sources, and display device technology are selected tosupport battery-powered operation.

Sensors may be used to prevent excessive battery-power drain andincrease viewing time by adjusting the lighting intensity in response tothe reflective light and ambient light. The cameras of each digitalmirror may act as the light sensor for each. Sensors may adjust lightingintensity and color depending on the users preferred settings for aparticular ambient environment. For example, a compact version of thedigital mirror may be used in a dark setting. In this case a sensorsetting may be used to prevent a bright display that may be distracting.

The digital mirror also provides the ability to view a truenon-transposed image of a user. Typical optical mirrors provide atransposed or mirrored image to the viewer such that the left side of anobject/user is transposed to the right side of the image and the rightside of an object/user is transposed to the left side of the image. Adigital mirror can display either view depending on the user's selectionthrough a GUI or an electromechanical user interface. Digital images canalso be enhanced through software to change the user's appearance, suchas remove wrinkles or age spots or any other variety of commonlyundesired user appearance features. Digital imaging software may alsomanipulate the user's image to add features to the user's image.

In another embodiment of the invention, the camera may be detachable orseparate from the display. The camera may communicate wirelessly througha common wireless protocol, such as IEEE 802.11. The ability toeliminate wires between the camera and display provides additionalflexibility in locating the camera. For example, a detachable camera maybe positioned behind the user's head. Additionally, left and right sidewired/wireless cameras may be used to communicate with the display baseto produce a plurality of images for the user to select from. Eachcamera may have its own lighting sources within its enclosure. Eachcamera may also provide a light sensor capability to sense the ambientlight, the reflected light, and auto focus the camera's lenses, if any,in order to produce the user's desired displayed views.

The digital mirror may also be used to store or archive pictures forfuture comparisons. The user may also select a number of stored imagesin the digital mirror to be shown in a continuous manner similar to aslide show. The growth or development of a user may be displayed bycapturing facial changes over the years. The captured image frames maybe correlated an displayed as a movie or video. The camera may be usedto take individual pictures, single image frame, or record video (aplurality of image frames over a time period) depending on the amount ofstorage available. Subsequently, the user may elect to show pictures forthe purpose of décor, such as a digital picture frame.

A wireless interface allows a user to store pictures and or movies on aremote computer system and transmit them to the digital mirror in theform of a stream file. The digital mirror may also send pictures back tothe remote computer system for archival and or further editing ormanipulation.

A built-in image signal processor allows the captured images on thedigital mirror to be manipulated. This allows the user to enhance theircharacteristics, such as to reduce wrinkles or remove skin blemishes forexample. Selective control of the lighting intensity can also improvethe image quality captured by the digital mirror.

Digital Mirror System

A digital mirror is an apparatus that captures and displays an image toa user through the use of a digital electronic system. The digitalmirror includes an image capture device and a display device on the sameside to display the captured image to a user. A digital mirror furtherincludes a user interface and an internal electronic control and imageprocessing system to control the camera and the display device andprocess captured images for display on the display device.

A digital mirror has a number of advantages over an optical mirror. Adigital mirror provides a user with an improved mirror viewingexperience compared to a conventional reflective optical mirror throughthe capabilities of digital imaging. A traditional optical mirror islimited by the ambient environment such as physical location, lighting,and viewing angle of the user. A poorly lit environment cansignificantly influence the image seen by a user. The user is alsolimited by their own vision being able to see only in a direct line ofsight. A traditional optical mirror is limited in that it can onlydisplay to the user a mirrored or reflected image. A digital mirror canovercome one or more of these limitations.

The influence of asymmetry in humans plays a large role in how we viewourselves and how the rest of the world views us. A digital mirror hasan ability to show the user a true life image of how others see them,rather than a mirrored image. In one embodiment of the invention, afreeze frame capture or video replay in a true view mode is provided sothat users may study themselves without having to remain fixed in oneposition.

A digital mirror enables the captured image input to be separated fromthe displayed output. Because the image capture device (e.g., a camera)and the display device are separate devices, the image capture devicemay be positioned so that the user's desired view may be displayedwithout changing the users position. Furthermore, users are not limitedto direct line of sight viewing or using multiple mirrors in order toview themselves from different perspectives. The camera or image capturedevice may include lighting proximately mounted to illuminate thesubject. In order to secure the position of the camera without the userholding it, the camera may include a clamp or stand coupled to aflexible arm or an articulating arm.

The digital mirror includes an image processor that allows themanipulation of captured images for display on the display device. Thedigital mirror may include a digital zoom to zoom in and zoom out of thecaptured image. The image processor can further adjust the imagedisplayed by compensating for poor lighting, modifying the imagedisplayed so that a user can make themselves look better or morerealistic, or perform any number of digital modifications that arepossible in the digital imaging field with an image processor.

The digital mirror may provide substantially all the lighting a userneeds to capture images. There is no need to adjust the environment to adigital mirror. The digital mirror can adapt to the user's environment.The digital mirror, along with a detachable camera if so equipped,includes or more light sources to illuminate the user within expecteddistances of use. Exposure and gain of the image capture device can beadjusted to improve image capture and or video displayed to the user.

The digital mirror can store captured images to separate them from theimage being displayed by the display device. A user can selectivelyfreeze an image or replay a stored image to see themselves as they werein the past. Users no longer need to hold a position or expression,perform a motion over and over, or hold their eyes open to seethemselves as the digital mirror can capture images for later displaywhen a user's eyes are closed.

A digital camera, also referred to as an image capture device, mayprovide enhanced optics to capture images otherwise not seen by unaidedeyes. The image capture device may include an optical lens or acombination of optical lenses with various properties such as: atelephoto lens for a closer view, a wide angle lens to allow a widerview, or an optical zoom lens to provide both. Utilizing a telephotolens, an optical zoom view is possible without users having to readjusttheir face closer to the digital mirror. The optical zoom lens mayoptically zoom in and out on the user to select a frame of for capturedimages for display on the display device of the digital mirror.

A wide-angle lens provides a wide view that can be displayed without theuser moving away from the device. The camera may include an auto-focussystem to provide sharpness and or resolution, regardless of where theuser is positioned relative to the device.

The digital mirror is not limited to displaying only one full frameperspective view. Multiple cameras of a digital mirror can concurrentlycapture more than one perspective view of the user for display on adisplay device. The additional captured views can provide a morecomplete view of the user and or their surroundings. Alternatively,additional captured views may be used to provide a side-by-sideperspective comparison. The digital camera can capture images fordisplay full frame, side-by-side, picture in picture, or in a mosaic onthe same display or on separate displays. With an optical mirror, theuser previously had to move the mirror or position their own body inorder to see a desired viewing angle. With multiple cameras, a user cancapture different perspective views all at once.

A digital mirror can displace optical mirrors as a decoration in a homeor office environment. Because the digital mirror provides its ownillumination, it has the ability to capture and display an image, evenin poor lighting conditions. The digital mirror can be used in poorlylit rooms within the home, a visor mirror in automobiles at night, or ina plurality of environments in its portable compact version.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a first digital mirror 100A is illustratedthat is wall mountable. The digital mirror 100A includes an enclosure101 with at least one mounting device, a hole 180 or hooks 182A-182B inits backside, so that the digital mirror can be mounted to a wall 189.The digital mirror 100A further includes one or more selective lightsources 102, an image capture device 104 (also referred to as a camera),a display device 106, a light diffuser 112, a user interface 115, and animage processing and control system (see the control systems 600A-600Billustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B) mounted in or to the enclosure 101.

The digital mirror 100A may further include an alternating current (AC)power cord 108 to receive power from an AC power source. The alternatingcurrent (AC) power is provided for the lights, camera and imagingelectronics through the AC power cord 108.

The image capture device 104 may be an OMNIVISION™ OV3642 threemegapixel CAMERACHIP™ sensor with a fixed focal length lens in oneembodiment of the invention, for example. In this case, a digital zoommay be used to zoom in and/or zoom out on a portion of an image.Alternatively, a camera module with an optical zoom may be used thatmechanically moves lenses in a linear manner back and forth, such ascommonly found in point and shoot digital cameras, or a camera modulewith a more compact zoom may be used such as shown and described in U.S.Patent Application Publication 2006/0216018 filed by Jen Tsorng Chang onMar. 20, 2006, incorporated herein by reference, for example.

The display device 106 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device oran organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device. The displaydevice 106 provides the viewing medium for the user to observe one ormore desired images captured by the camera 104. Surrounding the displaydevice 106 is the selective light sources 102 that may be one or more oflight emitting diodes (LED), incandescent, florescent, or anycombination of light source that can provide light and illuminate auser. The lighting provided by the light sources 102 of the digitalmirror may be responsive to the environment (e.g., ambient lighting) andone or more user preferred settings (e.g., automatic light sensing,manual light control) that are stored and provided to the digital imageprocessing control electronics.

The light diffuser 112 is mounted to the enclosure to cover over thelight sources 102. The light diffuser 112 diffuses or scatters the lightgenerated by the light sources 102 in order to produce a softer lightfor the object or user in the target viewing area. The light diffuser112 minimizes glare and other lighting aberrations that may tend to washout or distort images captured by the image capture device 104 (alsoreferred to as a camera). The light diffuser 112 may be shaped similarto the enclosure 101 and has an opening 113 to be mounted around theshape of the display device 106. In one embodiment of the invention, theenclosure and the display device are rectangular in shape such that thelight diffuser 112 has a frame shape with a rectangular opening 113 (seeFIG. 1C). In another embodiment of the invention, the enclosure anddisplay device are oval shaped such that the light diffuser 112 also hasan oval frame shape with an oval opening. The light diffuser 112 mayinclude an opening around the camera to allow the capture of images inthe field of view of the front side of the digital mirror.

In FIG. 1A, the camera 104 can be located just above the display device106 near a notched out area of the selective lighting 102 and lightdiffuser 112. To minimize parallax and ensure the user can obtain thedesired angle of view, the camera 104 is mounted as close as possible tothe display device or under/over the display device. For example, thecamera 104 may be centered within the display device 106 in order tominimize parallax. The camera 104 may also be mounted over displaydevice 106, such as shown in FIGS. 3E-3F for example. Alternatively, thecamera 104 may be mounted under the display device, such as shown inFIG. 3G for example. Digital imaging software may be used to compensatefor the pixels in the display device 106 that are covered or interruptedby the camera. The number of pixels covered by the camera may bedetermined from the size of the camera and depth of field required forthe digital mirror 100A.

The digital mirror 100A further includes a touchscreen user interface(UI) 115 mounted over the display device 106. The touchscreen UI 115provides the user the ability to select the preferred image from a userinterface menu. The touchscreen UI 115 may use capacitive sensing,surface acoustic wave (SAW), or resistive touchscreen technology. Theuser interface 115 may include a view mode button 115A, a zoom in button115B to magnify a portion of the image, a menu selector button 115C, azoom out button 115D to demagnify a portion of the image, and a lightsource dimmer/brightness button 115E to manually adjust the lightintensity. The view mode button 115A allows a user to select between atrue view mode or a mirror view mode and the display of images as eithertrue images or mirrored images, respectively. The menu selector button115C initiates a menu to be displayed on the display device 106 fromwhich a user can select different control functions, such as cameracontrol functions, display control functions, lighting controlfunctions, and power control functions. A user may pan the image throughthe touch screen user interface as well. A power on/off switch/buttonmay be included as part of the interface. Alternatively, a sensor may beused to automatically power on and off the digital mirror. While theuser interface 115 may be a touchscreen UI as described, other types ofuser interfaces may be used with a digital mirror such as a gesturerecognition user interface, a voice recognition user interface (e.g.,microphone, voice recognizer/decoder, speaker to question/acknowledge),an electro-mechanical user interface (e.g., buttons, switches, etc.), ora graphical user interface with a pointer, such as a mouse or stylus.

The enclosure 101 provides a housing for the components of the digitalmirror. The shape and form factor of the enclosure may 101 set some ofthe shapes of the components and some of the characteristics of thedigital mirror 100A. For example, the shape of the enclosure 101 may berectangular and the shape of the display device 106 may be rectangularas well. The shape and form factor of the enclosure may influence themounting positions of other elements as well, such as the positioning ofthe selective lighting 102.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a second digital mirror 100B is illustratedthat stands up and is self-supported upon a vanity or desktop surface.The digital mirror 100B receives AC power for the lighting, the digitalimaging electronics, and the display through the AC power cord 108. Thedigital mirror 100B includes an enclosure 101 that has a pivotal stand120. The pivotal stand 120 stands the digital mirror up upon a surface.The pivotal stand 120 can pivot to adjust its angle with the enclosureto provide flexibility in adjusting the angle and height of the mirrorto the user's position. The display device 106 is mounted in theenclosure 101. The display device 106 may be an LCD display, a plasmadisplay, an OLED display, or any other type of image display medium.

The camera 104 is located near the top and in front of the display tominimize parallax. The digital mirror 100B includes light diffuser 112to scatter the light from the device light source 102 surrounding thedisplay device 106. The enclosure 101 houses the display device 106.

The user interface 115 provides the user the ability to select a desiredview. The user interface 115 may be an electromechanical user interfaceand include a view mode button 115A, a zoom in button 115B, a menuselector button 115C, a zoom out button 115D, and a light sourcedimmer/brightness button 115E. The view mode button 115A selects betweentrue view mode and mirror view mode to display images as a true image ora mirror image respectively. The menu selector button 115C initiates amenu to be displayed on the display device 106 from which a user canselect different control functions, such as camera control functions,display control functions, lighting control functions, and power controlfunctions. The menu also allows a user to select and save user preferredsettings, such as for lighting, views etc.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, an exploded view of a digital mirror is shownincluding an enclosure 101 with a pivotal stand 120, an electronicscontroller board 175 that has circuits and components mounted on aprinted circuit board (PCB), one or more light sources 102 to providelighting, the user interface 115 buttons that control the image displayand user menu, a device display 106, and a light diffuser 112 withopening 113. The electronics controller board 175 is mounted in theenclosure under the display device 106. One or more of the componentsand circuits of the imaging control systems shown in FIGS. 6A-6B anddescribed herein may be mounted on the electronics controller board 175.

The display device 106 is an LCD display with LCD backlighting 116. Theimage capture device 104 is shown separate from the enclosure. Thedisplay device 106 and camera or image capture device 104 are connectedto the electronics board 175 via ribbon cable. Covering the enclosure isthe light diffuser 112 with an opening 113. The light diffuser 112 ismounted over light source 102. The user interface bezel 125 includesicons that mount over and protect the user interface buttons 115.

The lighting sources 120 for the digital mirror are preferably aplurality of light emitting diodes due to their low powercharacteristics and ease in adjusting brightness or the light intensity.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a compact portable digital mirror 200A isillustrated. The compact portable digital mirror 200A is powered by adirect current (DC) power source provided by one or more batteries 208mounted in a second enclosure half 101B of the enclosure 101. Theenclosure 101 includes a first enclosure half 101 and the secondenclosure half 101B pivotally coupled together by a hinge 210 like aclamshell.

The compact portable digital mirror 200A further includes the enclosure101, a display device 106 mounted in the first enclosure half 101A, oneor more light sources mounted in the first enclosure half 101A aroundthe display device; a camera 140 (also referred to as an image capturedevice) mounted in the first enclosure half adjacent the display device106; and a user interface 115 mounted in the enclosure. In oneembodiment of the invention, the display device 106 is a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD device and the one or more light sources are light emittingdiodes (LEDs).

The camera 104 is located near the top of the first enclosure half 101Ato be in the field of view of a user looking into the display device.The enclosure 101 includes a hinge 210 coupled to the upper and lowerhalf of the enclosure to allow it to pivot open and closed. The firstenclosure half 101A includes a catch 221 and the second enclosure half101B includes a latch 220 to receive the catch 221. When engaged, thelatch and catch releasably keep the two enclosure halves 101A-101Bpivotally coupled together when the digital mirror is not in use.

The user interface 115 for the portable digital mirror 200A may be asingle electro-mechanical button that is responsive to the number oftimes the button is toggled. For example, depressing the button in rapidsuccession three times may execute a change in the rotation of the viewangle. Alternatively, holding the button down may increase the LEDlighting 102 brightness to a peak illumination and then start todecrease the brightness. Once the desired level of brightness isachieved, the user can let go of the button.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a front view of the compact portable digitalmirror 200A is shown in a closed position. The latch 220 and catch 221are releasably engaged to keep the two enclosure halves 101A-101B closedtogether.

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the compact portable digital mirror200A in an open position. FIG. 2C better shows the hinge 210 coupledbetween the enclosure halves 101A-101B.

Referring now to FIG. 2D, a visor digital mirror 200D is shown coupledto an automotive sun visor 250. The visor digital mirror 200D mayinclude enclosure halves 101A-101B that flip open and closed like thoseof the digital mirror 200A or alternatively, a slideable cover thatslides open and closed over the display device in the enclosure half101A. In either case, the second enclosure half is moveably (e.g.,pivotally or slidingly) coupled to the first enclosure half. Theenclosure half 101A is mounted to the sun visor 250 and rests thereonwhen folded up away into the ceiling of the car.

When enclosure half 101B is flipped open to reveal the display device106, a switch may automatically power on the digital mirror. Whenflipped closed to cover over the display device 106 to protect it fromdirt and whatever else, the switch may power off the digital mirror. Theslideable cover may slide open to reveal the display device 106 andpower on the digital mirror and slide closed to cover over the displaydevice 106 and power off the digital mirror. The digital mirror 200D ispowered through a wire cable 218 connected to the automobiles directcurrent power supply having a nominal twelve (12) volts DC.

The digital mirror includes the display device 106 mounted in the firstenclosure half 101A, a camera (also referred to as an image capturedevice) 104 mounted in the first enclosure half 101A, one or more lightsources 102 mounted in the enclosure half 101A on the left and rightsides of the display device 106, and the user interface 115 mounted inthe first enclosure half 101A. The second enclosure half 101B protectsthe digital mirror 200D when not in use. The second enclosure half 101Ahouses the components of the digital mirror 200D and provides a means tomount it to the sun visor 250D.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a digital mirror 300A is now illustratedcapturing an image of a user 399 that is displayed on the display device106. The digital mirror 300A is a rechargeable, self standing digitalmirror including a pivotal stand 306 and rechargeable batteries 308. Thepivotal stand 306 is pivotally coupled to a back side of the enclosure101 to support the digital mirror on surface.

The digital mirror 300A further includes a detachable camera 104 that iscoupled to the enclosure 101 by an articulating arm 310. The camera 104is mounted at the distal end of the arm 310. The proximal end of the arm310 is coupled to the enclosure 101. One or more lights 102 that may bemounted adjacent the camera 104 to provide lighting in front of thedigital camera 104 to facilitate the capture of images, such as shown byFIG. 3D. A camera cable 330 may couple the camera 104 to the underlyingimage processing system (see FIG. 6A) to provide power and controlsignals and receive pixel data for each image frame captured.Alternatively, wireless transmitter/receivers may be used to send thecaptured images to the underlying image processing system (see FIG. 6B)mounted in the enclosure 101.

The pivotal stand 306 may be pivoted to a different angle in order toadjust the viewing angle and capture desired images for display on thedisplay device. Furthermore, the articulating arm 310 provides aplurality of degrees of freedom to allow the user 399 to position thecamera 304 mounted thereto at various positions to capture desiredimages for display on the display device. The articulating arm 310includes a plurality of links 313A, 313B, and 313C coupled together by aplurality of joints 312A, 312B, and 312C. The links in combination withthe joints provides a very flexible arm that enables the user toposition the camera in a plurality of viewing angles. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the articulating arm may be a flexible armwith a plurality of joints coupled together so that it can flex intodifferent positions.

The digital mirror 300A includes an enclosure 101 with a recess 301 thatreceives the detachable camera 104. The detachable camera 104 can bepositioned within the recess 301 to capture images at a fixed positionadjacent the display device 106 or to stow away the camera for storageof the mirror 300A.

The digital mirror 300A further includes the one or more light sources102, the display device 106, the rechargeable batteries 308, and theuser interface 115 mounted in, coupled to, and/or operational within theenclosure 101. A description of various types of light sources 102,display devices 106, and user interfaces 115 that may be used aredescribed elsewhere and incorporated herein by reference.

The power supply (see the power supply block 618 in FIGS. 6A-6B) of thedigital mirror may include a battery charger to recharge therechargeable batteries 308. The battery charger receives alternatingcurrent (AC) power through the AC power cord/plug 108 when coupled to anAC power outlet. The AC power source may also be used to power theelectrical components in the digital mirror while the rechargeablebatteries are being charged or if the rechargeable batteries aremissing.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a digital mirror 300B is illustrated thatincludes a plurality of cameras—a left camera 104L, a center camera140C, and a right camera 104R. The digital mirror 300B isself-supporting including an optional stand 120 and/or means to be wallmounted (e.g. hole 180 or hooks 182A-182B shown in FIG. 1A) so that itcan capture images hands-free, without the user having to hold anycamera. One or more lights 102 may be mounted adjacent each of the leftcamera 104L and the right camera 104R, such as shown by FIG. 3D, toprovide lighting in front of each and facilitate the capture of images.One or more lights 102 may also be mounted around the display device 106to provide lighting in front of the display device to facilitate thecapture of images.

The digital mirror 300B includes additional cameras so that the user canconcurrently capture and then display images of different views fromvarious fields of view. A digital camera can capture images for displayfull frame, side-by-side, picture in picture, or in a mosaic on the samedisplay. For example, the left camera 104L may capture a left side viewof a user, the center camera 140C may capture a front side view of theuser, and the right camera 104R may capture a right side view of theuser concurrently. The digital mirror 300B can also concurrently displayleft side images 316L captured by the left camera 104L, front sideimages 316C captured by the center camera 140C, and right side images316R captured by the right camera 104R in a mosaic arrangement on thedisplay device 106, in response to a selection by the user with the userinterface 115. The digital mirror 300B can also display these imagesseparately as full frame images on the display device 106, such as shownby FIGS. 1A, 2D, 3A, 4A-4B, and supported by FIGS. 5A-5B and thedescription thereof, in response to a selection by the user through theuser interface 115. The left side images 316L, the front side images316C, and the right side images 316R displayed in the mosaic arrangementmay all be live images continuously captured by the cameras anddisplayed on the display device 106. Alternatively, one or more of theleft side images 316L, the front side images 316C, and the right sideimages 316R displayed in the mosaic arrangement may be stored imagespreviously captured by the cameras and read out from a storage device.For example, the front side images 316C may be live images while theleft side images 316L and the right side images 316R may be storedimages read out from the storage device and displayed on the displaydevice.

The center camera 104C is mounted to the enclosure 101 adjacent thedisplay device 106 to reduce parallax. The center camera 104C captures afrontal view of the user or alternatively, a back view of the user ifthe user rotates himself/herself around so his back faces the centercamera. For example, the user shown in FIG. 3B facing the camera 104Cand the display 106 could turn around so that the back of their head isfacing the camera 104C. After capturing and storing a few frames ofimages of the back of their head, the user can turn back around andselect with the user interface 115 to recall the captured images of theback of their head for display on the display device 106. Similarly,frames of left and right side images may be captured with the left andright cameras 1041,104R respectively and stored in a storage device(e.g., see storage device 644 in FIGS. 6A-6B) of the digital mirror. Theuser can then select through the user interface 115 to recall thecaptured images of the one more sides of their head for separate orconcurrent display on the display device 106 to provide a more completeview of them selves.

The left camera 104L and the right camera 104R are respectively mountedto the distal ends of a left articulating arm 310L and a rightarticulating arm 31 OR respectively. The proximal ends of the leftarticulating arm 310L and the right articulating arm 31 OR are coupledto the left and right of the enclosure 101 respectively. The left camera104L and the right camera 104R are electrically coupled to the imageprocessing system (See FIGS. 6A-6B) by cables 330 extending through thearms 310L,310R. The cables 330 may be electrical wire cables or opticalfiber cables to couple the cameras 104L,104R and image processor systemelectronics together. In an alternate embodiment, the cameras 104L,104Rmay be wireless cameras and communicate with a wireless digital mirrorbase with a wireless communication protocol as described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, a wireless digital mirror 300C is illustrated.The wireless digital mirror 300C has a wireless digital mirror base 321and the wireless detachable camera 304. The wireless digital camera 304may be tethered to the wireless digital mirror base 321 through awireless protocol such as the common I.E.E.E. 802.11 industry standard.This allows the detachable camera to be placed anywhere without beingcoupled to the enclosure 101 by an arm. However, the camera 304 mayconnect to a flexible arm 320 with a stand or clamp 352 to couple to andsupport the camera above a surface. A user can position the camera 304when supported by the clamp/stand 352 for a desired viewing angle.

The wireless digital mirror base 321 may communicate wirelessly with aremote computer system to upload captured images through a similarwireless protocol. Pictures and/or video may be transmitted to/orreceived from the remote computer system by the wireless digital mirrorbase 321. The wireless digital mirror base 321 may then be used as apicture frame so that pictures and or video may be displayed at theusers discretion. The digital mirror may serve a dual purpose; one forviewing oneself, one of a digital picture frame, and one for savedpictures.

Referring now to FIG. 3D, a magnified view of the wireless digitalcamera 304 is illustrated. The wireless digital camera 104 includes, animage capture device or camera, one or more adjacent light sources 102,a wireless transmitter 340, and one or more batteries 345 mounted in ahousing or enclosure 351. The one or more lights 102 that are mountedadjacent the camera provide lighting in front of the wireless digitalcamera 104 to facilitate the capture of images. The wireless digitalcamera 304 is mounted to a flexible arm 320 to flexibly move theposition of the camera. The wireless transmitter 340 may include anon/off switch 362 to selectively power on/off the battery 345 powerdrain when not in use. Alternatively, the wireless transmitter may havea sleep mode that sleeps the digital camera 304 until activated uponreceipt of a signal to turn on from the wireless digital mirror base321. While the camera 304 has been described as being a wireless digitalcamera, it may instead be tethered to and in communication with thedigital mirror base 321 by a wire cable including a plurality of wires.

Referring now to FIGS. 3E-3F, a digital mirror 300E is shown. Thedigital mirror 300E includes a digital camera 104 mounted over thedisplay device 106 to reduce parallax. The enclosure 101 may include aprotrusion or arm 311 to support the camera 104 over the display device106. The mounting of the camera 104 over the display device can be seenmore clearly in the magnified side view shown in FIG. 3F.

In FIG. 3F, the camera 104 is mounted to the protrusion 311. Theprotrusion 311 is molded as part of the enclosure 101 to support thecamera 104 over the display device 106. Portions of the display device106 and the light diffuser 112 are shown in FIG. 3F to illustrate therelative positioning of the elements in the digital mirror 300E.

The digital camera 104 can also be mounted under the display device 106to reduce parallax. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/338,106 filedon Feb. 16, 2010 by John W. Rowles, et al., entitled TECHNIQUES FORIMAGE CAPTURE THROUGH LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS, describes how to mount acamera under a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and capture images.The digital camera may be mounted between an LCD pixel panel and abacklighting panel. Alternatively, the camera may replace a few pixelsand be interspersed between pixels of the LCD pixel panel. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the digital camera 104 can also be mountedunder an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device 106 toreduce parallax. Alternatively, the digital camera 104 may replace a fewpixels and be interspersed between pixels of the organic light emittingdiodes.

Referring now to FIG. 3G, a magnified side view of a portion of adisplay device 106G for an alternate embodiment of a digital mirror isshown. The display device 106G is an organic light emitting diode (OLED)display device. The digital mirror includes an image capture device104G. In this case, the image capture 104G device may be a cameramounted behind the OLED display device 106G.

Referring now to FIG. 3H, a magnified top view of a portion of the OLEDdisplay device 106G is shown. The display device 106G, being an OLEDdisplay device, includes an array of M by N OLED pixels 370. The displaydevice 106G includes a lens 374 mounted over the camera 104G that ispositioned between OLED pixels 370 of the OLED display device 106G.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, in response to true view mode being selectedthrough the view mode selector 115A of the user interface, a true image406T is displayed by the display device 106 of the digital mirror 100B.A conventional optical mirror does not display the true image 406T if auser stands in front of the optical mirror. The letter B on the necklacein the true image 406T has a proper orientation.

FIG. 4B illustrates a mirrored image 406M being displayed in response tothe mirror view mode being selected by the user interface view modeselector 115A. A conventional optical mirror may display an imagesimilar to the mirrored image 406M.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, a representation of a single frame of pixeldata configured into columns and rows is illustrated. A frame of pixeldata is captured by the image capture device 104 and stored in digitalformat into the memory locations of a frame buffer memory. A frame ofdata may written into the frame buffer memory and organized asillustrated in FIG. 5A, such as by writing from left to right (pixel P₁₁to pixel P_(m1)). In response to user selections (e.g., true view modeor mirror view mode), the pixel data stored in the frame buffer memorycan be readily processed by an image signal processor as desired.

In a true view mode, the frame of data may be read out similarly (e.g.,from left to right—pixel P₁₁ to pixel P_(m1)) and displayed on thedisplay device as shown in FIG. 5A. Pixel P₁₁ is displayed in the upperleft corner, pixel P_(m1) is displayed in the upper right corner, pixelP_(1n) is displayed in the lower left corner, and pixel P_(mn) isdisplayed in the lower right corner. In this manner, the pixel data isdisplayed on the display device of the digital mirror as it was capturedby the image capture device. The true view mode displays true images tothe user as how third persons see the user, such as shown in FIG. 4A.

In a mirror view mode, the frame of pixel data saved into the framebuffer memory is read out differently from how it was written byreversing the addressing of memory locations into the frame buffermemory. The arrangement of the pixel data in the rows and columns isread out of the memory locations in a reverse order (e.g., from right toleft—P_(m1) to P₁₁) to transpose or horizontally flip the captured imageinto a horizontally mirrored image.

FIG. 5B illustrates how the mirrored image is displayed on the displaydevice 106 of the digital mirror in response to the mirror view mode.For example, pixel P_(m1) is now displayed in the upper left corner ofthe display device, pixel P₁₁ is displayed in the upper right corner ofthe display device, pixel P_(mn) is displayed in the lower left corner,and pixel P_(1n) is displayed in the lower right corner. The mirror viewmode displays mirror images on the display device to the user, such asshown in FIG. 4B, similar to how an optical mirror does.

Image Processing and Control Systems for Digital Mirrors

Referring now to FIG. 6A, a first block diagram an image processing andcontrol system 600A for the digital mirrors is shown. FIG. 6Aillustrates a user 699 in front of the camera module 104 to have his/herimage captured and displayed by the display device 106 after thecaptured images have undergone further processing by the imageprocessing and control system 600A. The block diagram shown in FIG. 6Aillustrate basic data flow in the system by arrows illustrated betweenthe blocks. The image processing and control system 600A includes one ormore of the user interface 115, the lighting sources 102 coupled to alighting controller 616, an image signal processor 610 coupled to thecamera module 104, the display controller 614 coupled to the displaydevice 106, a storage device 644, a power supply 618, and a primarycentral processing unit (CPU) 612 coupled together as shown.

Some sort of power supply 618 couples to each active device to supplypower. The different types of power supplies 618 that may be usedinclude rechargeable batteries, automobile DC power, AC power grid, or asolar panel. In one embodiment of the invention, the power supply 618includes an auto sensing mechanism to automatically shut off powerand/or enter a low power sleep mode after a predetermined period ofinactivity and to automatically power on the digital mirror supplyingpower to the components in response to sensing the presence of a user.

The primary CPU 612 controls substantially all of the functions and subfunctions of a digital mirror. The primary CPU 612 may include a framebuffer memory 632 to store one or more frames of pixel data representingan image. The stored data in the frame buffer memory may be ready to orundergoing image processing performed by the primary CPU.

A removable storage device 644 having an edge connector 642 may becoupled to the CPU 612 by means of a socket connector 643. The framebuffer 632 may read image pixel data out from or write image pixel datainto the removable storage device 644. In another embodiment of theinvention, the removeable storage device may be a fixed storage deviceto provide additional data storage capacity for the system. Regardless,the storage device 644 may be one or more of different types of computerreadable mediums including memory devices, flash drives, orsemiconductor storage devices (SSD).

The primary CPU 612 may include one or more processor cores andassociated memory required for operation. The processor cores mayinclude microprocessors, microcontrollers, reduced instruction setcomputer (RISC) processors, networked computer systems, etc. that arecapable of executing instructions of software programs.

The user interface 115 of the digital mirror receives a user's requestsand sends commands or instructions to the primary CPU 612 forprocessing. The user interface 115 may be used by a user to control aplurality of functions of the digital mirror through the primary CPU612. For example, the user interface 115 can be used to control thedisplay controller 614, the lighting controller 616, the image signalprocessor, and in some cases, the camera module 104, through the primaryCPU 612. The user interface 115 may be an electro-mechanical userinterface, a graphical user interface, a voice command user interface, avisual command interface or a touchscreen user interface that can bemanaged through the use of buttons, a microphone and voice recognition,or through a touch-screen system over the display device for example.The primary CPU 612 receives the requests from the user interface andperforms the requested tasks.

The display controller 614 controls the features and characteristics ofthe display device 106. The display controller 614 may receiveinstructions from the primary CPU 612 to control the display device. Thedisplay controller 614 includes the drivers and electrical componentsrequired to display images on the display device 106. The type ofdisplay device 106 utilized may have different controllable features andcharacteristics. For example, an LCD display device may have differentcontrollable characteristics than a plasma display device or an OLEDdisplay device and require different control signals and drivers.Different display controllers may be matched with the type of displaydevice that is to be controlled.

The display device may be a type of flat panel display that is capableof displaying high quality color video at fast speeds. Examples of flatpanel displays include thin film transistor (TFT) (liquid crystaldisplay) LCD devices and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displaydevices. The display device 106 may have a large viewable angle with acapability of displaying high quality video.

The lighting controller 616 can control the light intensity (brightness)of the lighting sources 102 in response to control signals received fromthe primary CPU. The type of light sources utilized may have differentcontrollable features and characteristics. Different types of lightingcontrollers may be matched to the type of light sources being used.Alternatively, the lighting controller may execute algorithms to modifythe illumination characteristics depending upon the type of light source102 being controlled. Exemplary light sources include one or more offlorescent, compact florescent, or light emitting diodes (LEDs)—thepreferred embodiment of lighting source for the invention.

The image signal processor 610 includes a frame buffer memory 622 tostore pixel data of one or more frames of images. Like the primary CPU,the image signal process can perform image processing operations on thepixel data stored in the frame buffer memory in response to softwareinstructions. Additionally, the image signal processor may be used tocontrol the camera module 104 and any sensors mounted in the cameramodule 104. It is desirable that the image single processor be ofsufficient speed/data bandwidth to manage a video stream of a pluralityof frames of pixel data in order to capture video images and displayvideo on the display device. The image signal processor 610 may processimage data on its own or in conjunction with the primary CPU 612 beforeit is displayed on the display device 106 by the display controller 614.

The camera module 104, also referred to as an image capture device, mayinclude a lens system, an image sensor, and an optional external ImageSignal Processor (ISP). The camera preferably has a high depth of fieldfrom any combination of decreased sensor size, decreased aperture size,and/or an Extended Depth of Field technology within the sensor and imageprocessing system. The image processing may be handled internally on aSystem-On-Chip (SOC) or on an external ISP.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, a second block diagram of an image processingand control system 600B for digital mirrors is shown. The imageprocessing and control system 600B is similar to the image processingand control system 600A illustrated in FIG. 6A but includes acommunication link 650 (e.g., wireless router) for a digital mirror baseunit to communicate with a detachable camera 304 and/or a remotecomputer system 670. The description of the common numbered blocks thatwere described previously are incorporated here by reference.

The primary CPU 612 can store data in the storage device 644. Thestorage device 644 may be removable or fixed within a digital mirrorbase. In either case the storage device may be one or more differenttypes of storage mediums including a semiconductor type of storagemedium (e.g., flash memory, a solid state storage device.) to name one.If removeable, the storage device 644 may be a Secure Data (SD) card, aCompact Flash (CF) card, or a flash USB memory stick.

Alternatively, the primary CPU 612 may connect to a remote computersystem 670 to store data at its location. In one embodiment, a digitalmirror base may communication wirelessly with the remote computer systemor the detachable camera through a transmitter/receiver 630. The remotercomputer system 670 includes a transmitter/receiver module 671 tocommunicate with the digital mirror base or other mobile devices.

The remote computer system 670 includes one or more storage devices 675to provide a significantly larger data capacity to store data. Theprimary CPU 612 may send data to the remote computer system for storagein its storage devices 675 over a wireless communication linkestablished by the pairs of transmitter/receivers 630,671. The remotecomputer system 670 may send/receive instructions and or data from theprimary CPU 612 to facilitate the data transfer. Alternatively, theprimary CPU 612 may send data to the remote computer system 670 by awire cable, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable coupled betweenUSB transmitter/receivers using a USB communication protocol.

The image processing and control system 600B illustrates the detachablecamera module 304. The detachable camera module 304 may send data andreceive control signals over a communication link established by thepairs of transmitter/receivers 630,631. The detachable camera module 304captures pixel data and may then process the pixel data or simply sendit to the digital mirror base for storage or for display. The detachablecamera module 304 may include its own light source 102 that iscontrolled by the primary CPU 612 to capture the pixel data. Thedetachable camera module 304 may include its own image signal processorand frame buffer memory. Otherwise, the pixel data may be sent over thecommunication link and through the primary CPU to the image signalprocessor 610 of the digital mirror base.

Conclusion

The embodiments of the invention are thus described. Some elements oraspects of the embodiments of the invention may be implemented insoftware. When implemented in software, the elements or aspects of theembodiments of the invention are essentially the program, code segments,or instructions that are to perform the tasks. The program, codesegments, or instructions can be stored in a processor readable mediumor storage device that can be read and executed by a processor or othertype of computing machine. The processor readable medium may include anystorage medium or storage device that can store information in a formreadable by a processor or other type of computing machine. The programor code segments may be downloaded via computer networks such as theInternet, Intranet, etc. and stored in the processor readable medium orstorage device.

While embodiments of the invention have been particularly described,they should not be construed as limited by such embodiments. Instead,the embodiments of the invention should be construed according to theclaims that follow below.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A digital mirror comprising: an enclosure;a display device mounted in the enclosure to display full frame imagesat a front side of the enclosure; an image capture device mounted in theenclosure adjacent the display device to reduce parallax error, theimage capture device to capture full frame images in a field of view ofthe front side; a view mode selector coupled to the display device, theview mode selector to selectively display the full frame images as trueimages or mirrored images on the display device; one or more lightsmounted in the enclosure adjacent the display device, the one or morelights to providing lighting in front of the display device; and a lightdiffuser mounted to the enclosure around the display device over the oneor more lights, the light diffuser to diffuse and soften the lightemitted by the one or more lights, wherein the light diffuser includesan opening around the image capture device to allow the capture ofimages in the field of view of the front side.
 2. The digital mirror ofclaim 1, wherein the enclosure is a mountable enclosure including atleast one mounting device to mount the digital mirror.
 3. The digitalmirror of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a standable enclosureincluding a pivotal stand coupled thereto to prop up the enclosure on asurface at an angle.
 4. The digital mirror of claim 1, wherein thedisplay device is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device.
 5. Thedigital mirror of claim 4, wherein the image capture device is a cameramounted behind the OLED device with a lens mounted over the camera at aposition between OLED pixels of the OLED device.
 6. The digital mirrorof claim 1, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display witha backlighting panel.
 7. A digital mirror comprising: an enclosure; adisplay device mounted in the enclosure to display full frame images ata front side of the enclosure; an image capture device mounted in theenclosure adjacent the display device to reduce parallax error, theimage capture device to capture full frame images in a field of view ofthe front side; a view mode selector coupled to the display device, theview mode selector to selectively display the full frame images as trueimages or mirrored images on the display device; one or more lightsmounted in the enclosure adjacent the display device, the one or morelights to providing lighting in front of the display device; and a lightdiffuser mounted to the enclosure around the display device over the oneor more lights, the light diffuser to diffuse and soften the lightemitted by the one or more lights, wherein the light diffuser has aframe shape including a center opening to receive the display device. 8.The digital mirror of claim 7, wherein the enclosure is a mountableenclosure including at least one mounting device to mount the digitalmirror.
 9. The digital mirror of claim 7, wherein the enclosure is astandable enclosure including a pivotal stand coupled thereto to prop upthe enclosure on a surface at an angle.
 10. The digital mirror of claim7, wherein the display device is an organic light emitting diode (OLED)device.
 11. The digital mirror of claim 10, wherein the image capturedevice is a camera mounted behind the OLED device with a lens mountedover the camera at a position between OLED pixels of the OLED device.12. The digital mirror of claim 7, wherein the display device is aliquid crystal display with a backlighting panel.
 13. A digital mirrorcomprising: an enclosure having a recess; a display device mounted inthe enclosure, the display device to display full frame images at afront side of the enclosure; a detachable camera configured to beremoveably coupled to the enclosure, the detachable camera to capturefull frame images in the field of view of the detachable camera; andwherein the detachable camera is configured to be received into therecess of the enclosure to reduce parallax, the detachable camerafurther configured to be uncoupled from the enclosure to capture imagesin a different field of view and continue communicating with the displaydevice to display the captured images on the display device.
 14. Thedigital mirror of claim 13, wherein the detachable camera includes oneor more lights mounted to a camera housing, the one or more lights toprovide lighting in front of the detachable camera.
 15. The digitalmirror of claim 13, further comprising: a view mode selector coupled tothe display device, the view mode selector to selectively display thefull frame images as true images or mirrored images on the displaydevice.
 16. The digital mirror of claim 14, wherein the detachablecamera further includes a light diffuser over the one or more lights,the light diffuser to diffuse and soften the light emitted by the one ormore lights.
 17. A digital mirror comprising: an enclosure; a displaydevice mounted in the enclosure, the display device to display images ata front side of the enclosure; a detachable camera removeably coupled tothe enclosure, the detachable camera to capture images in the field ofview of the detachable camera, wherein the detachable camera is incommunication with the display device to display the captured images onthe display device; and an image capture device mounted in the enclosureadjacent the display device to reduce parallax error, the image capturedevice to capture images in a field of view of the front side of theenclosure while the detachable camera captures images in a differentfield of view.
 18. The digital mirror of claim 17, further comprising:one or more lights mounted in the enclosure adjacent the display device,the one or more lights to providing lighting in front of the displaydevice to capture the images in the field of view of the front side. 19.A portable digital mirror comprising: a portable enclosure includinguser interface buttons to control the portable digital mirror; a firstenclosure half to rest and support the portable digital mirror on asurface; a second enclosure half; and a hinge coupled to the firstenclosure half and the second enclosure half near edges of each, thehinge pivotally coupling the first enclosure half and the secondenclosure half together to allow them to open and close; a displaydevice mounted in the second enclosure half to display images at a frontside of the portable enclosure; an image capture device mounted in thesecond enclosure half adjacent the display device to reduce parallaxerror, the image capture device to capture images in the field of viewof the front side; and one or more lights mounted in the secondenclosure half adjacent the display device, the one or more lights toprovide lighting in front of the display device.
 20. The portabledigital mirror of claim 19, further comprising: a light diffuser mountedto the second enclosure half around the display device over the one ormore lights, the light diffuser to diffuse and soften the light emittedby the one or more lights.
 21. The portable digital mirror of claim 19,wherein the portable enclosure further includes a battery compartmentfor holding one or more batteries to provide direct current power to theimage capture device, the display device, and the one or more lights.22. The portable digital mirror of claim 19, wherein the first enclosurehalf of the portable enclosure further includes a releasable catch; thesecond enclosure half includes a latch; and the hinge pivotally couplesthe first enclosure half and the second enclosure half together to allowthe releasable catch to couple to the latch.
 23. The portable digitalmirror of claim 19, further comprising: a view mode selector coupled tothe display device, the view mode selector to selectively display theimages as true images or mirrored images on the display device.